Who let the dogs out?

Early on Friday morning we heard a loud bang. What was that? The dogs of the neighborhood wanted to know too and started barking and barking, a virtual canine cacophony. Next we heard water running. This could not be good. A grinding sound of a seldom used valve ending the sound of rushing water. Until now we had wonderful hot showers every morning but now there was only a small drip. I quickly put on my contacts before there was no water at all. As we went down to breakfast we passed an inside rain shower. The pressure valve for the hot water tank had failed and the contents of the tank was dripping down the wall. Luckily the kitchen was on a separate water system so breakfast was uninterrupted. This Friday was also a holiday and in the afternoon the soccer team of Ecuador would be playing Uruguay for a slot at the World Cup in Brazil 2014. The restaurant was expecting a crowd in the afternoon. The team of the hostel rallied and the hot water tank was fixed by the afternoon. Team Ecuador also rallied and won over Uruguay, much to the delight of everyone in Cuenca.

Our teacher, Jeaneth, of Si Centro

At the flower market, long stem roses are $0.25

Friday was also our last day of Spanish classes at Si Centro. We enjoyed our classes with Jeaneth. In the afternoon, Carolina escorted us to museums, ruins, flower and artisan markets as well as trying to teach us a bit of salsa (the dance, not the dip for tortilla chips). The first few days were on regular verbs and vocabulary, then throw in some irregular verbs, infinitives, adjectives and stir vigorously. Rich and I learned a basic framework. Now we have to practice our skills.